what to do with spanish mauser?

iwannausername

I have one of the infamous 1916 spanish mausers in 308. Or something like 308 I've put about 100 rounds of 308 thru it over the years I've had it, but now reading about them not really being "safe" with a 308 pressure load (52k cups), I'm thinking of rebarreling/rechambering it. From what I've read, the small ring 2-lug design was designed for a max of about 45k cups.

I wouldn't mind 762x39 - would the pressure be low enough? If so, would using one of those chamber adapters be enough, or should I just get a whole new barrel?

Another option would be one of the 45 ACP conversions for it - again, would the pressures be low enough? Anyone shot one of these before?

What other calibers would be possible, keepign in mind the pressure limit, and for ease, the 308 sized extractor?

Highball

My opinion only;
The Spanish is only a tiny bit better then the 'last ditch' mausers out there.
I have a couple...and they remain unused. Tolerances are so sloppy, the prospect of making even a decent rifle is nil...

Handload for your .308...just cut the load back. Find loads that use slow-burning powders.
Unless you do all the work yourself..every dollar spent on a Spanish is a dollar wasted...Particularly since a good 98 can be found for a hundred fifty bucks...or less...

p3skyking

You have LOTS of possibilities. There's a .45 carbine kit out you could use, you could rebarrel it for 7mm (Wow!), or just follow Oddball's ([:o)]) recommendation on handloading.

iwannausername

Well, the way I look at it, I'm gonna spend 200-250 no matter what on my Next Gun Thing, only more if my side jobs do me right... I found the 45 conversion kit, $160, under $200 with a few extra tools (go/nogo, etc) if I do the work myself - I can't but I have friends who can. So this is attractive.

But as far as other caliber options, is there someplace online that lists the SAAMI specs for various common calibers? (saami.org doesn't have it - so much for open standards)